Farmer Arrested Over Plantain Theft Dies in Police Custody, Family Questions Suicide Claim

The death of a 25-year-old farmer, Peter Igbang, in police custody in Ipara, Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State, has sparked outrage, with his family and community leaders demanding answers over the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Igbang was reportedly arrested on Saturday, October 17, 2026, over an allegation that he stole a bunch of plantain. Days later, his relatives learnt that he had died in police custody.

Police reportedly told the family that the young man had taken his own life by hanging himself in the cell with his clothes. However, his relatives and community representatives have questioned the explanation, citing what they described as inconsistencies in the account of his death and concerns about how he was detained.

The deceased’s mother, Gift Joseph, said she was not informed of her son’s arrest and only learnt about the incident on Tuesday, October 20, the day she was told of his death.

She said Igbang had gone to attend to his farm and was arrested while returning home. According to her, no police officer contacted the family to notify them that he was being held in custody.

The grieving mother, who described Igbang as her only son, said she struggled to understand how he could have died in the manner described by the police.

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Igbang was reportedly a former mechanic apprentice who later turned to farming after his family could not afford to establish a workshop for him. He cultivated cassava and plantain on a six-acre farm.

His elder sister, Juliet, said she received a call on the evening of October 20 informing her that her brother had died. She travelled to Ogun State the following day to seek clarification from the police.

According to Juliet, she was told that her brother had been arrested over the alleged theft of plantain and had subsequently died in the cell.

She questioned why the family had not been informed of his arrest and why they were only contacted after his death.

Juliet also challenged the explanation that her brother had hanged himself, saying she was shown a photograph in which he appeared to be fully dressed. She questioned how he could have reached a high window in the cell and was reportedly told that he had used a bucket as a platform.

The family has called for a detailed investigation to establish exactly what happened inside the cell and determine whether the circumstances of the death were properly documented.

Community leaders have also expressed concern over the incident.

Fidelis, a former chairman of the Ogoja community in Ipara, said he was contacted by the police only after the young man had died. He said he went to the station and saw the body in the cell.

The current community chairman, Joseph, questioned the circumstances of the detention and the police explanation for the death. He also raised concerns about the failure to notify the family promptly.

Another community member, Monday Philip, said he had approached the person who accused Igbang of stealing plantain to plead for leniency shortly after the arrest. He alleged that the complainant had indicated that he wanted the young man to be taught a lesson rather than face a prolonged punishment.

The family also raised concerns over reports that Igbang had complained of hunger and lack of water while in detention. A woman who reportedly visited him in the cell allegedly said he had asked that his relatives be contacted so they could arrange his release.

These claims have not, by themselves, established the cause of death or proved wrongdoing by any police officer. The circumstances require an independent and transparent investigation.

The case has renewed concerns about the treatment of suspects in police custody, access to legal assistance, notification of next of kin and the responsibility of authorities to safeguard the lives of detainees.

Under Nigeria’s criminal justice framework, suspects are entitled to due process and must not be subjected to torture or inhuman treatment. Any death in custody warrants a clear account of the circumstances and appropriate investigative scrutiny.

The family and community are demanding answers about the arrest, the period of detention, the circumstances in which Igbang was found dead and the decision to take his body to a morgue before relatives were present.

They want the relevant authorities to establish the facts, address any misconduct uncovered and ensure accountability where necessary.

As of the reports available, the family’s questions remain unresolved. The precise circumstances and cause of Igbang’s death should be established through a thorough investigation rather than assumptions.